Salakae claims housing crisis is twisted into corruption narrative
Johannes Kambai | Tuesday August 25, 2026 10:12
“For one and a half years I have been harassed by the DCEC, (which has been) ...dragging my name through the mud, and I have been watching and listening, and it's all done by the notorious DCEC director without proof,” Salakae said whilst addressing his constituents in Gantsi on Monday morning. Salakae resigned from Cabinet last week and is set to appear in court on Friday.
At the centre of his complaint is the claim that he lives in a mansion the size of a council building in Phakalane, allegedly bought for him by a Chinese contractor in exchange for a project award. Salakae rejects the story outright. He said he deliberately chose not to take an institutional house when he became a senior government officer. After winning the Ghanzi seat, he said he was told he would be allocated the residence previously occupied by Eric Molale. He served notice on his Phase 4 rental, only to be informed two weeks before the move that the house had already been given to someone else.
“I wondered where my kids would sleep, and at night a call came in and someone asked if I was looking for a house and I said yes, and they offered a house as big as a council house in Phakalane and I presented the house to the government to pay for it and they agreed along with my wife,” he said.
According to Salakae, the DCEC transformed this emergency housing arrangement into a bribery allegation without producing title deeds, payment records, or any link to a Chinese company. He said he approached five senior figures, including a sitting judge, hoping the matter could be handled quietly. He later realised the decision was a mistake.
“They also wanted me gone but in chains,” he said.
The DCEC rejected last week's claims that it weaponises corruption laws, insisting its investigations are evidence-based. Salakae, however, maintains the Phakalane story was the opening shot in a sustained effort to remove him from a life of public service.